Fix PowerPoint Lasso Select Not Working on Android Tablets
Question details
The user is unable to select handwritten text or ink objects using the Lasso Select tool in PowerPoint for Android.
- Product
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Attempting to select ink objects or handwritten text in a presentation using a stylus, finger, or mouse.
- Observed behavior
- The Lasso Select tool displays a visual outline around the text but fails to actually select or highlight the drawn objects.
Ensure your Android tablet's operating system and the PowerPoint app are both updated to their latest versions from the Google Play Store.
Update App and Test in a New Presentation
Verify if the issue is file-specific or related to an outdated app version.
Open the Google Play Store on your Android tablet, search for Microsoft PowerPoint or the Microsoft 365 app, and install any available updates.
Launch PowerPoint and create a brand new blank presentation to test if the Lasso tool works on fresh ink.
Draw a new ink object using the Draw tab, then choose Lasso Select and attempt to highlight it.
Submit Feedback to Microsoft
Since this is a known limitation or defect in the Android version of PowerPoint, submitting feedback alerts developers to the missing functionality.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Presentation Editing on Android
If PowerPoint's functional limitations on Android are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and feature-rich environment for creating and editing presentations on tablets and mobile devices.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your Android tablet.
- 2. Open Your Presentation: Launch the app, grant necessary file permissions, and tap 'Open' to locate your existing PowerPoint files.
- 3. Edit with Ease: Use the highly compatible presentation editor to modify text, ink, and slides without the limitations found in other apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Lasso Select outline appear but not grab the text in PowerPoint for Android?
This is a known functional limitation or defect in the current version of Microsoft PowerPoint for Android. While the tool visually draws the selection area, the underlying selection mechanism for ink objects fails to trigger.
Does reinstalling the Microsoft 365 app fix the Lasso Select bug?
Unfortunately, users have reported that uninstalling and reinstalling both the standalone PowerPoint app and the unified Microsoft 365 app does not resolve this specific Lasso Select issue.
Does Lasso Select work properly in other Microsoft apps on Android?
Yes, the Lasso Select tool generally functions correctly in other Microsoft applications like OneNote for Android, indicating the bug is currently isolated to the PowerPoint environment.
